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Posted on October 6, 2014

By Tracy Kornet

Sen. Lamar Alexander, R-Tennessee, weighed in Monday on some of the biggest issues facing America today.

With news of ISIS growing stronger and the Ebola virus now in the U.S., many citizens are concerned about what the government plans to do about the two issues.

Alexander said he believes the U.S. is in for the long haul with the Islamic State. He said before the country heads to war, President Barack Obama needs to approach Congress with a clear military plan.

"I think we should be in Washington right now debating the plan the president proposes if we're going to get involved in the Middle East again," Alexander said.

Alexander also said he wants everyone who comes to the U.S. from Ebola-infected countries to be screened for the virus.

He added that he thinks the president should appoint one person to take charge.

"Someone of cabinet level authority who has the clear responsibility to coordinate the many agencies who are dealing with this and the many people in the world," Alexander said. "We need an extraordinary response because this is an extraordinary crisis."

Alexander is currently the top Republican on the Senate Committee on Health, Education and Pensions. He led a roundtable discussion on Ebola with Vanderbilt University physicians and scientists last month.